Most minor drug offenses are state crimes. While state prohibition statutes largely mirror federal rules, every state determines on its own what substances it wants to prohibit or limit public access to through statute. When someone gets pulled over in traffic and...
A fraud conviction in federal court can land you in prison for years, end your business career and ruin your reputation with your family, friends and community. One of the most common reasons that federal prosecutors bring fraud charges against someone in the...
You probably see it on televised crime shows all the time: A prosecutor offers a defendant the opportunity to receive a lighter sentence if they agree to plead guilty to reduced charges. A plea bargain can be offered in many types of criminal cases, even a DUI. These...
As a general rule, you have a right to privacy in your own home. The police may want to come in, but they don’t always have the right to do so. Citizens in America can expect a certain level of privacy and any searches on their property must be carried out lawfully....
In the past, many Texans have racked up convictions for the use of and/or possession of brass knuckles. Having a conviction like that on your record can close many doors to gainful employment and other opportunities. But for Texans who want to arm themselves with...
When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on a case that involved Miranda rights last month, there was some confusion and concern about what it means for anyone who is detained or arrested. One headline even said that the decision “further guts” these rights, which emanate...
Police officers who suspect you of committing a driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense will pull you over to investigate. If an officer is suspicious after a crash, they may order chemical testing even when the other driver is clearly to blame for the wreck. Whether...
It’s not often that people are required to take drug tests. Many jobs require employees to take scheduled or random urine tests to scan for drug consumption. A failed drug test may have negative consequences, but it won’t usually lead to criminal charges, however. On...
Nobody expects to be involved in a car crash when they set out on their journey. The majority of people go about their daily business on the Texas roadways without issue. Accidents do happen though, and human responses can vary when a crash does occur. Some people...
Assault is a term that is most commonly associated with acts of violence toward another person. However, the legal definition is not quite this simple. There are three key components to the crime of simple assault in Texas. An assault charge can have serious...